S moke S ignals
JULY 1, 2018
19
Grand Ronde
Housing Department
Down Payment Assistance
Program depleted for 2018
Tribal Funded Down Payment Program grants have been deplet-
ed for the year. There are several HUD grants left however, but they
are only grants for those families or members who meet the HUD
80% median income criteria (gross income) which is the following:
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Haven Conklin runs up to Rebecca Snowden to get a second corndog as
Snowden serves a free lunch at the covered basketball court in Tribal
Housing on Monday, June 18. The lunch program is a partnership between
the Willamina School District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that
provides free lunches to children ages 1-18, Monday through Friday until
Aug. 3. However, there is no lunch service on Wednesday, July 4.
Free kids’ meals offered in
Grand Ronde until Aug. 3
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
There is such a thing as a free
lunch.
For the 22nd year, the Willami-
na School District is offering free
meals to children every weekday
through Aug. 3 with the exception
of the Fourth of July.
Any child ages 1 through 18 may
participate in the program regard-
less of family income. There is no
registration required, but meals
must be consumed on site.
This summer, meals are being
served locally at Raven Loop Park
in Grand Ronde in addition to
Willamina Elementary School and
Tina Miller Park in Willamina.
Tribal Library staff will be at
Raven Loop Park on Wednesdays
to read stories during lunch time.
On the first day of the program
Monday, June 18, a handful of
children waited patiently for
School District employee Rebecca
Snowden to pass out corndogs,
apples, cucumber slices and milk.
It is her third year working for
the summer program.
“The best part of this is seeing the
kids,” Snowden said. “I have a great
relationship with them because I
see them in the summer.”
During the school year, Snowden
works in the Willamina Elementa-
ry School cafeteria. This summer,
she is handing out punch cards and
those who eat lunch 10 times will
receive a prize.
“The kids are happy to see me
during the summer because they
are getting food,” she said. “It
If you go
Free summer meals
Where: Raven Loop Park
When: 12:30 to 1 p.m., Mon-
day-Friday through Aug. 3.
There is no meal service on
Wednesday, July 4.
For more information: Call
503-876-2702.
definitely helps build that positive
relationship. I get kids that run up
and hug me. I consider that to be
good feedback.”
Haven Conklin, 6, echoed that
sentiment.
“I like the food and I get to see our
lunch lady,” she said. “I love her.”
Ethan Sabin, 11, has been par-
ticipating in the summer lunch
program for three years.
“I like coming here and seeing my
friends, and eating the corndogs,”
he said. “This is only the first day of
the program, but sometimes there
are a lot of people here.”
School District Nutrition Director
Lynne Shore said the program is one
of the longest running in the state,
with the simple goal of providing a
healthy lunch option for students
during the summer months. An aver-
age of 35 meals are served at each site.
“We serve a lot of the same items
we do during the school year so the
kids are familiar with it,” Shore
said. “This is a way for kids to get
a good, healthy meal when school
is out, see their friends and play at
the park. We invite anyone from the
area to come out.” 
Name changes in court
Tribal Court provides both minor and adult name changes to enrolled
members for a filing fee of only $30. If you have any questions or would
like to request a packet, contact Tribal Court at 503-879-2303. 
FAMILY SIZE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
HUD LOW-INCOME LIMITS
$45,600
$52,100
$58,600
$65,100
$70,350
$75,550
$80,750
$85,950
Housing Board seeks community input
The Grand Ronde Housing Board is inviting Tribal members and Trib-
al housing residents to provide input to assist its members in carrying
out its advisory role to the Housing Department and Tribal Council
regarding policy guidance. The Housing Board meets at 3 p.m. the third
Thursday of each month in the Housing Department conference room,
28450 Tyee Road. Its chair is Kristy Criss-Lawson. For more informa-
tion, contact the Housing Department at 503-879-2401. 
Medication drop box installed
The Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department, 9655 Grand Ronde
Road, now has a medication drop box located in the front lobby.
Lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The drop box is for any prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
If the containers are too large to fit in the drop box, please repackage
them in a zip-lock plastic bag. Tribal Police employees cannot handle
the medications so the person dropping them off must repackage
them.
Needles and liquids are not allowed in the drop box.
Tribal Police suggest mixing liquid medications with cat litter or
coffee grounds and then throwing them away with the household
trash.
For more information, call 503-879-1821. 
TRIBAL COURT
FACILITATION SERVICES
Starting July 1, Tribal Court will offer Court Facilitation Services. Court
staff will be offering help to people who do not have an attorney and who
would like assistance with court-related paperwork. Court staff are not
attorneys and cannot provide legal advice or assistance. This service is open
to the community and will be offered by appointment only from 9 a.m. to
noon every Friday. If you would like to schedule an appointment, contact
the Tribal Court at 503-879-2303 or by e-mail at court@grandronde.org.
Court Staff May Not…
Apply rules and laws to the facts of a specific
case.
Court Staff May…
Provide basic information applicable to all parties
about court procedures, rules and practices.
Interpret the meaning of ordinances, statutes or
rules in an attempt to explain how those rules
may apply to particular situations.
Refer people to specific statutes or court rules
that govern routine court practice or procedures.
Recommend one procedure or form over
another.
Provide instructions and forms developed by the
Tribal Court.
Substitute their own words for a customer’s
words on a form or draft a legal document of
their own.
Indicate where to provide information on a form.
Fill in blanks under the direction of a customer on
forms selected by the customer.
Take sides, recommend the services of a specific
attorney and offer opinions about possible
outcomes of court matters.
Provide court schedules and information on how
to get matters scheduled or refer to Oregon State
Bar or local legal aid offices for legal assistance.